Candace Chambers
Blue & White Flash/Staff Writer
Dressed in a bronze blazer, pink collared shirt, blue and white polka dot tie, and light blue faded jeans, Fonzworth Bentley expressed his “swagger” through his unique style of dress and words of wisdom at the Black College Day celebration held on Sept. 25th.
Black College Day, first celebrated in 1980 in Washington D.C., draws attention to the successes and goals of Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the nation.
Jackson State University students, faculty, and staff gathered in Ballrooms A&B of the Student Center to honor HBCU’s and to listen to Bentley’s address on how confidence, manners, and style affect the journey towards success.
Bentley, whose birth name is Derek Watkins, started in the entertainment business at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga. with mentor Bill Cosby. He studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and became a popular maître d in New York City.
He received his famous moniker from music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs’ while serving as his high profile assistant. Bentley has also appeared in many music videos including “I Like the Way You Move” by Outcast, and served as a mentor on MTV’s “Making the Band 2,” along with much more influential work.
He guides his life with these words of Morehouse alumnus, Benjamin E. Mays, “Whatever you do, strive to do it so well that no man living and no man dead, and no man yet to be born can do it any better.”
After receiving a standing ovation, Bentley commended the audience’s mass presence and instructed everyone to hug at least seven people in the room. The Morehouse graduate also stated that he believes HBCUs should be embraced as monuments.
Reading an excerpt from the introduction of his book, “Advance your Swagger: How to use Manners, Confidence, and Style to Get Ahead,” he gave the following tips for success: set high goals, sow seeds of faith, show integrity, and align oneself with people who are going in the same direction.
Emphasizing the importance of appearance, character, and most of all faith, the audience was challenged to think like CEOs and market themselves in the global economy.
“Every opportunity is an opportunity for another opportunity,” he stated.
Several students expressed their appreciation and gratitude for Bentley’s appearance at Jackson State’s Black College Day.
LaBriea Thurman, a senior political science major from Greenwood, Miss. said, “I loved his realness. He spoke of God. He understood our needs and feelings of insecurity.”
Tasha Thigpen, a sophomore English education major from Jackson, Miss., admired his demeanor.
“He seemed very down to earth and took time to answer questions with in-depth answers,” said Thigpen.
SGA Special Interest Council Senator Perrin Bostic, a junior healthcare administration major from Little Rock, Ark. said, “Fonzworth Bentley serves as a role model in terms of being college educated, through his appearance, and his interest in manners.”
MADDRAMA Performance Troupe performed a tribute to Bentley as a productive black man, commending his successes as a musician, an author, producer, host, and role model for collegiate black men.
The JSU Dance Ensemble danced to a mix of songs he has been a part of, including “Roses” and “I Like the Way You Move,” and Bentley’s own “Everybody” ft. Kanye West, Sa-ra, and Andre 3000.
Kevondria Cager, a junior therapeutic recreation major from Atlanta, Ga., felt that Bentley was a perfect speaker for the occasion.
“It was a privilege for Mr. Bentley to speak with us and give us advice to carry us through our transitions,” said Cager.
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